The V/Line Cup is one of the early proving grounds for aspiring under-15 footballers wishing to take their game to the next level, with 600 of Victoria’s brightest junior footballers hard at work in this year’s competition in Shepparton.
Beginning on Monday, September 25, and ending on Wednesday, the tournament helped players in the under-15 girls and division one and two under-15 boys to showcase their skills.
And among the swathe of talented juniors, a stable of home-grown stars made their case for higher honours.
Despite Goulburn Murray going winless this year, Echuca United’s Harper Delamare was a shining light.
The Eagles junior was named Goulburn Murray’s best player in both matches, earning best-on-ground honours in their clash against Bendigo Pioneers.
In that clash, Eagles teammate Sage Dennis lined up for the opposing Pioneers, playing a crucial part for Bendigo in the 59-point victory to round out the tournament.
The Pioneers finished with two wins from both games, earning a hard-fought 26-point victory over GWV Rebels on day one after a strong performance from Echuca’s Elise Napier.
Clubmate Cody Walker was pivotal alongside Rochester’s Harrison Keating in the Pioneers’ first-up 24-point win over the Rebels in division one of the under-15 boys competition, with Walker impacting the scoreboard with a goal.
In division two, Echuca’s Max McCarty and Moama’s Jake Barden led the way for the Pioneers with two goals each in their opening-round defeat to the Rebels. McCarty would add another in the Pioneers’ loss to Goulburn Murray.
